Course announcement Chinese Politics in a Globalized World

Transcription

1 Course announcement Chinese Politics in a Globalized World at the Nordic Centre and School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, Shanghai 18 February 28 June 2013 Chinese and international developments take place in this so-called age of globalization, where many issues travel across and beyond traditional borders and institutions. Influences go both ways. Chinese Politics in a Globalized World is a full-semester course program (30 ECTS), offering students a comprehensive understanding of China as an increasingly important actor in a globalized and interdependent world, as well as thorough knowledge about core issues related to China s own political and social development. The course program also includes studies in Chinese language and culture. The Nordic Centre at Fudan University in Shanghai, in collaboration with Nordic and Chinese university partners, invites applications for the course program Chinese Politics in a Globalized World, for the spring semester The course program is developed and organized in cooperation between the Nordic Centre and the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA), Fudan University; Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen; and 1

2 Department of Political Science and NIAS (Nordic Institute of Asian Studies), Copenhagen University. This is a full-semester course program, consisting of three independent but interrelated modules, with each module corresponding to 10 ECTS in the European accreditation system. 1) Chinese Developments in a Globalized World - joint course with matching number of Chinese and Nordic university students 2) Chinese Politics - primarily for Nordic university students 3) Chinese Culture and Language (beginner- and advanced level options) - primarily for Nordic university students The course program aims at advanced (4-6 semester) Bachelor students and Master students in political science, social sciences and other relevant fields of study. The overall course program is focused on on-going as well as historical developments, and although this is not a theory-heavy course, relevant theories, debates and perspectives are discussed throughout the various course modules. Discussion of mainstream political science and social science disciplines, including seminars on writing semester papers and other student work requirements, are given in the beginning of the semester, and may be of particular value for students less experienced in these fields of study. Module 1 is a joint offer to Chinese (SIRPA, Fudan) students and students from Nordic Centre member institutions, while Modules 2 and 3 aim particularly at Nordic university students. Up to 20 Chinese SIRPA-students (for Module 1) and up to 20 students from Nordic Centre member institutions may be admitted to the course program. Preference may be given to qualified students wanting to follow the fullsemester program, but students interested in only participating in specific modules may be accepted in agreement with the organizers. Bachelor and Master students will have their work requirements adjusted in line with their level of studies. Students are advised to seek an advance approval from their home institutions to ensure that the course may be recognized as part of their study programme (for a Bachelor or Master degree), in line with requirements of their home institutions. Course program (full-semester program with modules) Chinese Politics in a Globalized World was organized for the first time in spring Based on the overall successes and lessons gained in the first round, the course program for spring 2013 will be based on similar themes and issues, with an overall improvement of the structure and coherence of all course modules. Students may refer to the spring 2012 course program for details, but should note aforementioned modifications planned for spring The new spring 2013 program will be finalized in fall

3 The entire spring 2013 course program will run from 18 February to 28 June, including a short introductory week before the actual semester starts 25 February. The semester follows the Chinese, Fudan University semester. Module 1, for Fudan and Nordic university students, will consist of weekly lectures and seminars (3-5 hours/weekly). Examination will consist of written exam, written essay and student presentations. Module 2, for Nordic university students, will consist of weekly lectures and seminars (2-4 hours/weekly). Examination will consist of semester paper and student presentations. Module 3, will consist of a series of lectures on most relevant cultural issues, and weekly language instruction (3-4 hours/weekly). A classroom course in Conversational Chinese will be arranged for beginners (option 1), and alternative study plans will be accommodated for students who already have some competence in Chinese (option 2). Examination will consist of written assignments and mid-term and final-term tests. The program will include local excursions to relevant institutions and places in Shanghai, as well as excursions to the countryside and to the capital, Beijing. Most excursions are integrated in the overall course program, and may include visits to government institutions, embassies, United Nations and other state and non-state organizations. Lecturers and instructors will mainly come from the participating, partner-institutions, all with first-hand experience from work and research related to Chinese and international politics and developments. This full-semester program requires full-time study, keen interest and motivation. Each module requires high attendance in class and regular preparation for lectures and assignments. Interested students should be prepared for an intensive semester, and an open, curious and active attitude will be the best asset for students wanting to make use of this unique opportunity. All applicants are asked to write a one-page letter explaining their motivation for taking this course. The letter of motivation may be given decisive weight in the application process. Successful applicants will be enrolled in the Chinese Politics in a Globalized World program, and will be registered as exchange students at Fudan University with access to relevant facilities. Past and modified course program for spring 2013 Full course program for spring 2013 will be finalized in fall Students may refer to the spring 2012 program for details about themes and issues covered in the course. But note that some modifications will be made for spring 2013, to offer an overall better structured and coherent course. 3

4 See web links and contact info below. Please feel free to get in touch if you have questions. Tuition fee Tuition fee is EUR The fee covers tuition, programme activities and excursions, and access to relevant facilities at the Nordic Centre and Fudan University. Students may apply for funding for studies abroad from their state- and home institutions, and all students are encouraged to contact their international coordinator/office to inquire about relevant funding- and support opportunities. (Norwegian students may note that this course fully qualifies for funding from Statens lånekasse for utdanning.) Accommodation and travel The tuition fee does not cover international travel to China or accommodation expenses in Shanghai. Students are advised to apply for funding for such expenses as part of their application for studies abroad/semester exchange to their state- and home institutions. The Nordic Centre will help organize inexpensive offers of accommodation near campus, which will most likely be shared apartments in the Tohee International Student Village ( right outside the Fudan campus, which received favourable feedback from our students in spring Students may, of course, also choose to organize their own accommodation. For details, see Nordic Centre contacts. All students are responsible for organizing necessary travel insurance and for reporting their status of studying abroad to relevant authorities in their home countries. How to apply Students will find application form and information material via the below links, and may start preparing in line with deadlines and requirements of their home institutions. The Nordic Centre will open for complete applications in the period 15 September to 15 October. Students should send their complete application, including application form, a brief (one page) statement of motivation, a brief CV and university transcripts (scanned), and a scanned copy of the first/name page in their passports, electronically to Programme Manager Natalie Wheeler, Nordic Centre, Fudan University: natalie@nordiccentre.org In the application form, students are asked to indicate whether they apply for the fullsemester program, and whether they go for option 1 or option 2 for language instruction (Module 3). Those opting for option 2 should indicate their level of Chinese language proficiency, and submit documentation of completed language training. 4

5 All relevant information and documents are made available via the below links (including application form, the past spring 2012 program, and news and updates concerning the next spring 2013 program) Application period 15 September to 15 October 2012 (please note the Nordic Centre will not be able to process applications received before 15 September, and application deadline is 15 October) Admission Students will be informed about the outcome of the admission process by the Nordic Centre, within two weeks after the application deadline, after which successful applicants should confirm whether they accept their place in the program. Accepted students will then receive instruction on how to register/apply for exchange student status at Fudan University. Note: Students are advised to seek an advance approval from their home institutions to ensure that the course may be recognized as part of their study programme (for a Bachelor or Master degree), in line with requirements of their home institutions. Key Contacts and Organizing Committee Key contact for course/academics-related information: Research Fellow Hans Jørgen Gåsemyr, Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen: hans.gasemyr@isp.uib.no Key contact for practical information at Fudan University: Programme Manager Natalie Wheeler, Nordic Centre, Fudan University: natalie@nordiccentre.org Other members of the organizing committee: Associate Professor Liu Chunrong, School of International relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University: crliu@fudan.edu.cn Professor Stein Kuhnle, Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen: stein.kuhnle@isp.uib.no Assistant Professor Camilla Tena Norup Sorensen, Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen (Visiting Research Fellow, Peking University) CS@ifs.ku.dk 5